Trouble Sleeping?…This supplement will help!

We’ve all been there…wishing that there were more hours in the day, and burning the midnight oil just to be able to get done what you need to get done.

However, and some would say unfortunately, sleep is crucial to our well being. We can be the healthiest person when it comes to our food choices, we could be diligent with exercise, but if we’re not sleeping enough our health could still take a hit.

Without sleep we cannot recover emotionally or physically. I know I am not the nicest person to be around if I don’t get enough sleep, and it’s pretty darn hard to be productive at anything when you’re exhausted.

Like most things, the quality versus quantity is really important. Even if you’re hitting the sack early, unless you’re getting great quality sleep, meaning your not tossing and turning all night, or lying awake restlessly, you are not getting enough quality sleep.

Of course you need to take care of the basics first and foremost to improve your sleep:

Stop caffeine consumption after 3pm

Start to wind down around 9:30pm, so that you can be sleeping by 10pm. This means no technology and instead a good book, meditation or light yoga), Make your room as dark as possible, with blackout shades, or you can wear an eye mask.

Look at what you’re eating as a culprit if you’re having a hard time staying asleep. Food allergies and inflammatory foods can lead to restless sleep.

But what if all of this fails and you can’t seem to get to sleep, either because you let yourself go past 10pm and you’re suddenly wired, or you just can’t seem to get a project or problem out of your mind, or you’re worried that you’re alarm won’t go off in time because you have to be up earlier than usual…whatever the reason my be, it’s frustrating to be tired and not be able to fall asleep.

While I’m not a fan of relying on a sleep aid consistently, herbs and supplements can be a great tool to help you relax your body and stop mind chatter.

Recently I discovered Insomnitol by Designs for Healthwhich contains some great ingredients to get you sleeping in no time:

Vitamin B-6 – This vitamin plays an many important roles in the body, including maintaining a healthy nervous system, convert food energy into glucose and metabolizing fats and proteins. It can also help the body produce melatonin, which is an important hormone that helps us fall asleep. (1)

Valerian Root – This herbal sleep aid contains a chemical called linarin, which creates a sedative effect. This is because it increases your brain’s GABA (Gamma-amino butyric acid) level, which in the right doses can cause a sedative effect, and calm the nervous system. (2)

Passion Flower – Another calming herb that’s been used since the 18th century by south american native indians, that promotes relaxation in the body and reduces anxiety. (3)

Lemon Balm – This herb, from the mint family, has been used for centuries to help with sleep disturbances. It reduce anxiety and also helps with stomach upset, which can sometimes be a cause of sleep disturbance. (4)

Chamomile – This well known flower helps to soothe and relax the body. One of the active compounds being apigenin, which has been found to reduce locomotor activity. (5)

L-Theanine – This amino acid is found in tea leaves, elevates levels of GABA, as well as serotonin and dopamine. Increasing the levels of these calming brain chemicals promotes relaxation and can help with sleep. (7)

5-HTP – This naturally occurring amino acid helps the body to produce more serotonin. Healthy levels of serotonin contribute to a positive mood and outlook and also promote restful sleep. (8)

Melatonin – This important hormone produced by thepineal gland, is an effective natural sleep aid. Despite it being produced naturally by the body, caffeine, alcohol and working night shift can affect our levels in the body. (9)

While this supplement is an amazing natural sleep aid when you need it, it should not be abused. Trying to deal with the underlying cause of inadequate sleep is always your best bet.

To purchase Insomnitol by Designs for Health, head on over to our store –

Hi! In my blog posts I share my own experiences, passions, and what works for me and has worked for my clients. I am not a doctor or certified health practitioner. My blog posts are not meant to treat or diagnose. Please consult your medical practitioner before beginning a new protocol of supplements or new exercise program.